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As optimism of small business growth continues to rise, entrepreneurs nationwide are still struggling to receive financing.

Nestlé Toll House Café by Chip is poised to take a major step to ensure new and existing franchisees are able to take a bite out of the brand’s two new franchisor funding programs, Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and Café Conversion Initiative (CCI), which totals up to $500,000 of available funds for new and existing franchisees.

Through CCI, qualified and experienced food service operators looking to integrate the Nestlé Toll House Café by Chip brand into their existing quick-service location can participate in the new financing program, which allows new self-operators to add a café to their currently operating business as a co-branded partnership.

In addition to assisting new owner candidates with financing assistance, the CIP alternatively is specifically dedicated for qualified existing Nestlé Toll House Café by Chip franchisees who are seeking funds to remodel their café can do so through this program.

“In today’s economic environment, most small businesses rely on lenders to provide the capital needed to either open a business or to make capital improvements,” says Shawnon Bellah, vice president of domestic and international operations.

“Our new financing program addresses the issue of qualified entrepreneurs that are unable to grow their business or make these improvements because of the lack of funding. We look to fulfilling the dream of business ownership for entrepreneurs and helping them grow and prosper through our new financing programs.”

The two new financing programs will provide short-term loans between $5,000 and $25,000 for a limited time and were created by utilizing a portion of the company’s 2011 profits to be reinvested into approved cafés.

“Financing for reimaging projects can be a struggle which often deters franchisees from upgrading their locations, however we have found that positive improvements can show double-digit percent sale increases,” Bellah adds.

“Both the franchisee and franchisor will benefit from the consumer confidence and consumer interest generated by updating a café and re-energizing the brand. This progressive and strategic approach will even further differentiate Nestlé Toll House Café by Chip from its competitors. We look forward to growing this program and further positioning ourselves as the World’s Greatest Dessert Café.”

In addition to its signature irresistible cookie creations, the internationally renowned brand offers a unique selection of bakery goods, including macaroons, cupcakes, and brownies, among other items.

Cafés also serve frozen ice cream treats, premium coffee drinks, refreshing frozen yogurt, and real fruit smoothies. While the franchised cafés are not directly affiliated with the official Nestlé Company, the cafés serve many Nestlé branded products, such as freshly baked cookies, syrups and Nescafé, as well as other original products, including brownies, and Dreyer’s/Edy’s branded ice cream.

Crest Foods Inc., Franchisor of Nestlé Toll House Café by Chip based in Richardson, Texas, is a premiere dessert café restaurant company. The company currently franchises more than 100 cafes in the United States, Canada, and the Middle East.